J. Hampden Porter

John Hampden Porter, M.D. (October 19, 1837 – January 31, 1908) was a U. S. Navy Acting Assistant Surgeon and U.S. Army Assistant Surgeon during the Civil War. He later became a writer, sociologist, naturalist, and big game hunter. He traveled extensively in Central America at the end of the 19th century and early 20th century, and wrote papers for the Smithsonian Institution and the International Bureau of the American Republics. He wrote popular books and a weekly column for the New York Tribune based on his world travels and adventures as a big game hunter.

Education

He was a cadet, Military Academy, Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont, 1854-56. He is listed as an 1857 Non-Graduate.

He was then a cadet, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, July 1. 1858 to December 20, 1858. He was appointed at Pennsylvania – Not a Graduate.

M.D., Georgetown University, Medical Department, 1861.

Career

After graduating with an M.D. from Georgetown University, Medical Department in 1861, Dr John Hampden Porter was examined by the U. S. Navy Medical Examining Board and appointed Acting Assistant Surgeon, October 17, 1861. He resigned June 25, 1862. He was then appointed an Assistant Surgeon, United States Army Volunteers, November 25, 1864. On December 20, 1865 he received a promotion to Brevit Captain for "faithful service." On January 10, 1866 he mustered out of the Army at Washington, D.C., with an honorable discharge. He examined for commission as an Assistant Surgeon in the Regular U. S. Army Medical Department in 1866, but was rejected. Eventually, he became a researcher for the Smithsonian Institution, and, later, the International Bureau of the American Republics.